I saw on Reddit MEM fans questioning if Obi would be a good consolidation trade for them. What I realized is how much love they have for their own player's. Same as I do for ours, but also how little they know about Obi Toppin. He's been one of the best player's to come off the bench in the league. He's improving every year. I was disappointed when we first traded and Pascal took his spot. He was the previous slam dunk champion. At one point he was making like 75% of all drives towards the rim. He shot over 40% last season. He was phenomenal on Offense in the starting lineup. Once he went to the bench, he still put up great number's. Even better than Pascals on Offense. He's someone that can get you 17 points in 20 minutes. He's awesome in transition and played a big role in our pace game. He also injects a ton of energy into the player's and crowd with his dunks. He plays every game and he's only 26..

I might as well be a Grizzlies fan at this point.. Because the last two year's. I said I wanted my Pacers to Draft G.G. Jackson. They passed and MEM Drafts him.. Then the same thing with Jaylen Wells.. I kept saying we should Draft him.. They Draft Furphy.. 🤦 With the thought of JA Morant and Obi Toppin on one team.. That would be fun to watch.

The ratings in red here aren't an indication of the truth. If anything it's because Keon Ellis is terrible. You can look at his number's lol. They suck. But I threw him in to make the money work. That's the only thing about this trade. Making the money work. I could have thrown in Wiseman. But I figured a guy who can at least play, if you had to play him. Yet is still going to come off the books anyways.. but yeah. He's a Team Option for next season.

Most likely MEM was going to let Jake LaRavia go anyways during the off-season. As I figure the Pacers will probably too. The only reason I included him. Was because our situation in regards to resigning Turner. Then also incase something was to happen to Aldama. Who looks to miss a lot of game's. We've already lost two guy's to Achilles injuries this year. It's also to have LaRavia here. Incase they might rather resign him.. What the Pacers might choose to do about the backup situation, is sorta up in the air. Day'Ron Sharpe will also need resigned. So this would be a chance to see who might fit into their system best. A trade like this would give IND some flexibility moving forward.

Also,sidenote: Day'Ron is under Bird Rights, unlike Jake LaRavia. However, both could demand close to 8 some million at least for the first season.

IND helps assist MEM of getting rid of the additional 6+ million of Jon Konchar's 3 year contract. By offering additional 2nds and giving the Nets Furphy. Maybe the Grizzlies get another 2nd, or they get Furphy. If Nets didn't want him.. Something like that, if they had to. Idk, it all depends on how both sides view this trade. On my end, I see it as helping eachother. I could understand either way. But that's why I didn't touch this trade anymore. Plus it's only an example anyways. 🤷

I will note that a trade with Aaron Nesmith was easier. But he costs less and the Pacers seem to have put Obi out there instead. For awhile I thought it would be Nesmith. Since we've played so well because our depth since he's been out.. But he's also been a great player. One that MEM might prefer. He is a lock it down 3&D type. I know MEM want's a more veteran, defensive savy wing. But so does everyone else in the league lol. Pacers could survive either way I think.

I had recently almost posted a trade that had Aaron Nesmith and Cam Johnson going to the Grizzlies. That MEM team would be an instant Championship team. They could technically still do that with Smart/Johnson. I hadn't took the time to do that.. might be a little more evenly balanced that way. Yet, the nice part about MEM roster is how interchangeable it is. Cam Johnson can also play the SF & PF. Is sort of an underrated defender. Because people only look at his shooting. But most wouldn't think he has had a lot more blocks than De'Andre Hunter this year. Also beats him in steals. While being an over 40% shooter at the 3. Obi and Nesmith can shoot the same way. MEM has G.G. Jackson who can also play both positions, Jaylen Wells and Clark is switchable on Defense.

I'm not sure a deal gets done with MEM. Only because the fact they might rather keep Aldama. Also that because the Pacers may rather only want to trade Obi Toppin. Only because of his contract is a few million more and they're cheap.. But idk.. Obi was almost in the Top 10 of his draft. So that's something to consider. He was held back on the old Knicks team. It's possible a trade could get done. There's many angles you can look at here. I keep throwing them out there. Because who both team's have when it comes to contracts. They could could help eachother. Even if they didn't want to include Aldama. IND could still use LaRavia. Imo. Just a different kind of exchange. Next one I'll leave Aldama out and try to come up with another scenario. Just wanted to throw an Obi Toppin one out there.